'I won't accept it': Boyfriend grieves loss of woman killed in plane crash

The Fijian boyfriend of a 23-year-old Melbourne woman who died when a light plane flown by her uncle crashed into a lake in Victoria says he is in disbelief over her passing.

Kathleen Canavan, from Vermont South, was killed after the ultra-light fixed-wing plane she was a passenger in crashed at Lake Eildon, in the state's Alpine region, about 12.20pm on Saturday.

The aircraft was piloted by her uncle Danny Canavan, who escaped the crash with minor injuries.

Ms Canavan's boyfriend Petero Vundilo told The Age he was "lost" after hearing of her death.

"I love her more than anything in this world. Right now I still won't accept the fact that she has to leave me so soon," he said from Fiji.

According to The Age, the couple were planning a future together and were to lodge an application for his visa in the coming weeks.

Mr Vundilo's Facebook page consists mainly of selfies of the couple, decorated with love hearts and flowers.

Ms Canavan was one of six children and had been visiting her grandfather in Lake Eildon after recently returning from Fiji.

Her father, John Canavan, told Seven News on Sunday he had spoken to her just moments before the ill-fated flight.

"She said, Dad, I'm going on a ride with Danny and I just said Kathleen just pray Hail Mary because I don't like those things. Be careful," he said.

He said his daughter was a "very beautiful lady" who had "gorgeous eyes and had a big heart".

Authorities retrieved the plane from the lake on Sunday and it will be examined to try to determine the cause of the crash.

A report will also be prepared for the coroner.

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